CIVIL DISCOURSE
ABOUT US


Committee co-chairs
Bob Barrett & Ken Graham
Our Objective: To develop programs and services that improve and advance constructive engagement across political divides (i.e., civil discourse). If we as citizens cannot talk with each other robustly and constructively, we cannot govern ourselves as a nation. Strengthening the institutions of democracy through effective communications are closely interconnected with the values expressed in the philosophies of Rotary’s Four-Way Test, Rotary International, and help accomplish the Objects of Rotary.
Monthly Committee Meeting: 3rd Wednesday of each month, by Zoom 8:30-9:30 AM
WHAT WE DO
- Host Joyce and Kenneth Kaufman Dinners (or Zoom sessions) – Group Discussions
- Rotary International Keynote presentations
– October 2017 – John Hewko – The time for Civil Discourse is Now!
– Fall 2021 - “Forum-type” sessions via Zoom 6 or 7 PM – 7:30 or 8:30 PM
- “Weekly program speakers” via Zoom 8 AM- 8:30 AM – monthly
- Informal “Ombudsman” service for club
- Speakers bureau / panelists available to other clubs, outside organizations
- President Elect Training Session (PETS) – training module for incoming Rotary Club Presidents
- Web postings to website – (links to articles, organizations, videos)

Left to right – John Hewko, Rotary International general secretary and chief executive officer & Kenneth Kaufman, Founder of Palo Alto University Rotary Club (PAUR)
WHO BENEFITS?
The PAUR Civil Discourse Committee forms a study and resource forum that benefits PAUR, other rotary clubs, our community, Rotary International ambition to improve world peace and understanding. Likewise we expect that developing greater skills toward human understanding, bridging to enhance relationships, and encouraging respectful exchange of ideas will lead to betterment of our communities, nations, and democracy.
WHY IS THERE A NEED?
RESOURCES
ORGANIZATION WE SUPPORT
- National Institute for Civil Discourse – www.nicd.arizona.edu
- League of Women Voters – www.lwv.org
- Civic Health Project – www.civichealthproject.org
- The Village Square – www.tlh.villagesquare.us
- Citizens4Community – Sisters Country Civility Project – www.citizens4community.com
- Braver Angels – Putting Civility back into Civil Discourse – www.braverangels.org
- Living Room Conversations – www.livingroomconversations.org
- Our Common Purpose: Reinventing American Democracy for the 21st Century, a project of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences – www.amacad.org/ourcommonpurpose/report